DECEMBER 10: Zemgus Girgensons #28 of the Buffalo Sabres scores a second period goal against Robin Lehner #40 of the Ottawa Senators as Joe Corvo #77 of Ottawa follows the play at First Niagara Center on December 10, 2013 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Jen Fuller/Getty Images)

The Ottawa Senators’ playoff chances are in jeopardy — 31 games into the season. For those who respond saying ‘how is that possible? There’s 51 games still to be played’, things are very different this year.

Chris Neil #25 of the Ottawa Senators gestures to fans after a fight in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Canadian Tire Centre on December 7, 2013 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)

SENS FROM TO – Every week going forward for the Ottawa Senators is paramount. In order to prove they belong in the post-season, they must put together wins effective this week. Every subsequent week where they continue to come out with even or losing record, however, ‘paramount’ will quickly turn into ‘out’; perhaps even by the Olympic break.

Desperation hockey starts now.

The Senators need to be a .600 team minimum to have even a decent chance at a playoff spot. The new division playoff system ensures the best teams from each conference are selected so it has indeed become more difficult to make the playoffs.

The predictions above do not reflect what they need to do, but are just one person’s opinion of how they think it’ll turn out based on the past few weeks.

But they’ve been playing better of late, outshooting opponents in their last six games and have been winning the majority of faceoffs. Their puck possession numbers are better, but their execution with the puck must improve. The Senators have an excellent opportunity to make some ground in the Atlantic division with two games against the lowly Buffalo Sabres.They do, however, have 4 games in 6 days.

The Leafs did them a huge favour by losing to the Bruins Sunday. Gut check time in the nations capital.

DECEMBER 5: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators tries to check Alex Killorn #17 of the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on December 5, 2013 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

Going into Thursday evening’s tilt in Tampa, the Sens were five points back of the Toronto Maple Leafs for the final playoff seeding in the Atlantic division. A win against Tampa, a regulation Toronto loss, and the Sens would’ve been within striking distance of the final Atlantic playoff spot going into their weekend date with the Maple Leafs.

Following the loss, they now find themselves seven points behind Toronto.

NOVEMBER 17: Craig Anderson #41 of the Ottawa Senators stretches during warmup prior to a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Canadian Tire Centre on November 17, 2013 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)

THIS WEEK’S PREDICTIONS

Sens 4 Panthers 2 (7-15-5) | Dec. 3

Sens 2 Lightning 5 (16-9-1) | Dec. 5

Sens 4 Maple Leafs 3 (14-10-3) | Dec. 7

LAST WEEK:

Sens 2 Capitals 4 (14-11-2) | Nov. 27 | Result: Sens 6 Capitals 4

Sens 2 Canucks 3 (14-10-5) | Nov. 28 | Result: Sens 2 Canucks 5

Sens 3 Red Wings 2 (14-7-7) | Dec. 1 | Result: Sens 2 Red Wings 4

Prediction record: 14-12 (Week: 1-2)

SENS FROM TO – The Ottawa Senators brought in December with a loss against Daniel Alfredsson and the Detroit Red Wings. Following the game, the Senators sent down defenceman Mark Borowiecki and forward Derek Grant to Binghamton, and recalled forward Mike Hoffman. Hoffman returns to the nation’s capital with 11 goals and 15 assists in 21 AHL games this season, and is currently second in AHL scoring. Paul McLean has said that he has no found his best team in the combinations he has already tried, but says he’s confident that his team will enjoy the end result of its season. The Senators go into tonight’s game against the Panthers with a 6-1-1 record against teams in their division (Panthers are in Ottawa’s division). Craig Anderson, who is set to start, has a career 9-1-1 record against Florida.

DECEMBER 1: Fans show their support with signs as Daniel Alfredsson #11 of the Detroit Red Wings skates during warmup prior to his first game back at Canadian Tire Centre to play against the Ottawa Senators on December 1, 2013 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)

OTTAWA – It was a beautifully scripted night for Daniel Alfredsson.

In his first game in Ottawa after signing with Detroit, the Red Wings won 4-2, and it was Alfredsson who scored the empty-net insurance marker. Prior to the game, the Ottawa Senators organization paid tribute to his 17 years of service in Ottawa, on and off the ice. Fans cheered in a three-minute ovation for the former captain before puck drop.

“He got the respect that he deserves,” said Senators captain Jason Spezza. “The fans were great supporting us the rest of the game. It would’ve been nice for us to tie it up.”

For head coach Paul McLean, it was just another game, and he didn’t embellish following the loss.